Alcohol Effects on a Fetus

Treatment

Treatment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) depends on the age at which your child is diagnosed and his or her specific needs.

Initial treatment

After your child is diagnosed, seek care from a pediatrician who is experienced with FASD. A doctor who is experienced in treating the condition is more likely to recognize problems early and treat them more effectively. Also, he or she will likely be able to direct you to appropriate community services, such as those that specialize in counseling or educational support related to FASD.

Caring for your baby with alcohol effects takes patience. These babies can be very sensitive to sights and sounds. Keeping your baby's surroundings as calm and quiet as possible can help. Feedings may also take extra time because your baby may have problems sucking. Help develop your child's language, thinking, and reasoning skills by holding, talking to, reading to, and playing with your child often.

If you or other members of your family have an alcohol use problem, you may be directed to seek treatment. If you are the mother, stopping your alcohol use can prevent your future children from being affected. The father, friends, and family members all have roles to play to help the pregnant woman avoid alcohol and seek help if needed.

Ongoing treatment

Treatment for your child with alcohol effects will change as he or she grows and develops. Regular visits to your child's doctor are needed to keep track of your child's progress and identify problems.

• Toddlers and young children with alcohol effects need educational support to encourage and watch their development. Your child may receive physical, occupational, and speech therapy as a part of the early intervention program. Your toddler or school-aged child may need educational support, including early intervention, and help with attention, concentration skills, and social behavior.
• Older children, adolescents, and teens may benefit from social skills training, which helps them learn appropriate social behavior.
• Vocational training in the teen years helps prepare your child to hold a job. A young adult who is severely affected may need to live and work in a situation that provides supervision. But many adults with FASD can live independently.
• Counseling or medicine to treat behavior problems or mental disorders may be needed. People with alcohol effects are at increased risk for developing these types of problems, which may include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, or drug and alcohol dependence.

If your child has vision problems, he or she may need corrective glasses. If your child has birth defects, surgery or other therapies (such as speech therapy) may be needed.

A child's core belief about himself or herself, called self-esteem, can suffer because of the effects of fetal alcohol exposure. You can help your child develop a healthy self-esteem by encouraging a sense of belonging, confidence in learning, and a feeling of being valued.

Growth and development: Helping your child build self-esteem

Treatment if new problems develop

Seek help from your doctor if you think your child is not improving or if new problems develop. Further evaluation and referral to other community services may be needed.

Prevention of alcohol effects

Any amount of alcohol may affect your unborn baby, although the risk is higher with heavy alcohol use.

No treatment can prevent alcohol from affecting your fetus. In addition, no treatment can reduce the effects after a fetus has been exposed to alcohol. The damage cannot be reversed.

You can prevent FASD by not drinking during your pregnancy. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant not drink alcohol.²

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Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: April 2, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Ernest L. Abel, PhD - Reproductive Toxicology
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